Weekly Notices - 27th September 2026
We are so excited this week, to be welcoming Graeme and Jane Mitchell into St Aug’s. As part of our Mission Month, we have invited Graeme to speak to us about his role in the mission trips to Fiji by the Golden Oldies program.
The Golden Oldies message reads as:
“Each trip offers a unique 10-day mission experience travelling to Heartland Fiji, in partnership with the Diocese of Polynesia. Learn about life amongst the Fijian people, engage with the churches, attend schools, hospitals, villages and squatter settlements, and reside within the St Christophers orphanage campus in Suva.
The founding members of these mission trips are Graeme and Jane Mitchell, of Christchurch and Rev. Amy Chambers in Suva, Fiji. They work in partnership with the Diocese of Polynesia and have the full support of the Archbishop, Sione Uluilakepa who invites the Golden Oldies to engage with his people and churches.
The success and interest in these mission tours has engaged seniors from all over NZ to join these tours. Many of the group members are repeat attendees because they have enjoyed the trips so much!
It’s not just the tour to heartland Fiji, but the opportunity to support projects that can grow Church ministries and develop communities in an on-going way that makes each tour have a real purpose, creating legacies.”
Come and join our 10am Combined service on Sunday to hear more.
May God continue to bless the hearts of St Aug’s
Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (27th September)
Theme: Knowing God’s Mercy and Kindness through Humble Service.
Sentence: Come, let us return to the Lord, that we may live before him. Hosea 6:1a, 2b
Collect:
Almighty and compassionate God,
You are the refuge of the poor and the strength of the weary.
Look with mercy upon the people of Fiji who struggle with lack and hardship.
Bless them through your people, with daily bread, dignified work, and the hope that does not fade.
Stir the hearts of leaders and communities to act with justice and generosity,
that all may share in the abundance of Your creation.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Readings: Philippians 2: 1 – 13 & Matthew 21: 23 – 32
As we come to the end of our regular Mission Month, I ask that you all continue to hold those in other parts of the world who are struggling.
Graeme Mitchell will be visiting us THIS Sunday (27th Sept, 10am Combined Service) to talk to us about the Anglican Missions Golden Oldies program (see below for more details). We thank Liz Hay for organising this for us.
Offering a unique 10-day mission experience travelling to Heartland Fiji, in partnership with the Diocese of Polynesia. Learn about life amongst the Fijian people, engage with the churches, attend schools, hospitals, villages and squatter settlements, and reside within the St Christophers orphanage campus in Suva.
The final 2-nights are at a resort, with an optional day trip to a tropical island, for some R&R before returning to NZ.
During Mission Month – ‘Mitch’ is coming!
On Sunday 27 th September Graeme Mitchell, (‘Mitch’) who is the interim National Director for the NZ Church Missionary Society, will be coming to speak. Over a number of years, he has developed a Golden Oldies programme, where retired people go on a visit to Fiji, and spend time assisting the local people in a number of ways. (Away from the tourist resorts, Fiji has lots of poor areas. Just ask Kofe.) Graeme will tell us how this programme developed, so be prepared to be enthused and encouraged by what is a very practical and heart- warming ministry. We’re all able to help Graeme and the team, by helping donate $ for items that they take in their personal luggage and by praying. Or, maybe one or two could join him!
Liz Hay
For Your Diaries:
Sunday 27th September: Daylight Savings Begins; turn your clocks forward an hour.
Sunday 27th September: We welcome Graeme Mitchell who will speak to us about his Golden Oldies program through Anglican Missions. 10am Combined Service. Thanks to Liz Hay for organizing this.
Monday 12th October: pre-election Meet the Candidates Evening at St Aug’s. 7pm start. Thanks to Lerks Stedman and Catherine Gibbs for organizing this.
Please also note that our 24hr Day of Prayer, scheduled for the 1st weekend in October has now been cancelled due to health issues amongst our Prayer Team, and is rescheduled for early next year.
PRAYER TEAM UPATE
For about a year now, a group of anywhere between 5 and 10 parishioners have gathered monthly to pray primarily for our parish. This group makes up our parish Prayer Ministry Team, and includes the Sunday Intercessors, the Email Prayer Requests Group and the Prayer Working Group members. Our fellowship is always so positive and so enriching!
We have decided it’s now time to open this Prayer Meeting up to the whole parish.
YOU ARE INVITED!!!!!!!!
WHAT? Monthly Parish Prayer Meeting
WHEN? First Saturday of the month from 10-11am
WHERE? In the Hannan Centre
WHY? Our parish has big and significant decisions to be made in the near future e.g. the possible combining of our Sunday Services, the direction of our Youth and Children’s Ministry, Alpha in the near future, our finances, to name a few
Above all this is Christ’s call to share his Gospel and message of love with our families, friends and community. Through prayer, we as a parish receive direction as to how best to do this. Building his Kingdom is our privilege!
We want to assure you that, for those who feel uncomfortable with praying aloud, there will be no pressure to do so! It will be quite ok if you just listen to the prayers being offered and participate by joining in in silence. Your presence alone will be an encouragement to us – and will delight your Father God. Just as you love to spend time with your children, you can be sure that God loves to spend time with you!
Will you join us on next Saturday the 3rd at 10am in the Hannan Centre?
From the Prayer Working Group
As we conclude our September Parish Prayer Theme for September for Missions, we remember that Mission has many shapes and forms. Prayer is always a vital step which calls every one of us to be involved! And so we join our prayers to that of our Christian brothers and sisters over nearly one hundred years:
Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul through me,
And may I humbly do my part
To lead that soul to Thee
City Mission Food Basket:
A GREAT BIG THANKS to those who are regularly donating to our Food Basket at the back of the church (and the recent generous donations). Every little bit counts! Your valuable contributions help the poor and needy in our city survive. Keep it coming!!!
A call for empty, clean 2L milk bottles please. This is for an exciting venture Francie & Robin Shulz are putting together. Please drop off your empty bottles to the parish office during the week, or bring them with you on Sundays.
Helpful info
Giving
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.